Connecticut lawmakers vow fight over helicopter contract.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Dave Montgomery

WASHINGTON _ Seething over Connecticut-based Sikorsky Aircraft's loss of a $6.1 billion presidential helicopter contract, Connecticut political leaders called on President Bush to reconsider the government's decision and threatened a legislative fight in Congress.

The Navy on Friday awarded the prestigious contract to a U.S.-European aerospace consortium led by Lockheed Martin and composed of Bell Helicopter of Fort Worth and Italy's AgustaWestland.

The decision capped an intense battle between the two competing teams and ended Sikorsky's half-century-long claim on the presidential helicopter business.

"I was _ I am _ at a loss to understand this decision," Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a letter to Bush, demanding a full explanation from the Defense Department and calling on the Navy to reconsider the decision.

Navy Secretary Gordon England, a former aerospace executive, said through a spokesman that he would be willing to meet with Connecticut lawmakers, although reversal of the decision appears remote.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat, requested the meeting on behalf of the state's congressional delegation. Led by Democratic Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Christopher Dodd, Connecticut lawmakers assailed the Navy decision for sending presidential helicopter work overseas; roughly one-third of the work on the next generation copter will be performed in Italy and Britain.